Kurilara
| Kurilara | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Politics and Religion | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Population and Economy | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Introduction
The Alfar Empire has had many advantages over the barbarians abroad. It has had a strong martial tradition, a considerable edge in arms and armor, superior utilization of magic, and the assimilation of any useful advantages into the Empire. Many of these advantages can be found with the deep halls of Kurilara, the ancient abode of the Imperial Warforges and a stronghold of the Legion. For the last generation, it was the home of many of the Empire's vices as well. With a new king and a new opportunity, it remains to be
History
During the early days of the Alfar Empire, contact was made with the lords of the Underdark - the Dokkar. The Dokkar were divided, but they were wise in the ways of craft, and they controlled nearly unassailable strongholds. Of the leaders that the Alfar encountered, only one sought an alliance. King Vonril had negotiated with a colony of dwarves when he was still young, and had secured their alliance. Unlike his peers, he knew that just as the strength of steel came from alloying iron together with coal and metals, the strength of nations was in their joining together in alliance. He brought the Empire his army and his stronghold of Kurilara, in exchange for power within the Empire. His decision led several other Dokkar lords to pledge to the Empire, and their combined army brought many others under his rule. A figure of legend now, Prince Vonril the Great is said to have invented Adamant Weave and Golems, among other things. All Prince-Marshals rule somewhat within in his shadow.
Kurilara has long mirrored the Empire's fortunes, and its warriors and machines have served most of the legendary campaigns of its height. Kurilara was once the ruler of several vassal states during the height of the Empire, with an impressive aerial navy and tremendous legions. It was not to last.
Politics
To be noble is an action, or so Vonril the Great wrote. The nobles of Kurilara must earn their privileged status in the military, service to the state, or by working as a common laborer for a period. This produces a somewhat elitist attitude toward nobles of other lands, who simple receive the title without work. Nobles have a considerable amount of power, and make up a surprisingly large portion of society. Most common farmers are tenants of larger landowners, and usually have some restriction on their freedom, though this varies greatly from free tenants to actual serfdom. Slavery is illegal within Kurilara, though criminals and those captured in battle may be sentenced to punitive service for a term of years.
Religion
Kurilara follows the Old Gods as an official religion, recognizing the Eight as supreme. The Four Lords and Four Ladies are known only by title. Other forms of religion are tolerated if they recognize the Eight and do not conspire against the throne. The most notable example of this is the Soreistic cult of the Good Lady known as the Shadow of Death. Magic is linked to the worship of the various gods, so an disciple of the Verdant Lady could control plants or heal, while an adept of the Brilliant Lady could blind enemies or determine the truth. Adepts have understood multiple paths, while Masters know them all. Archmagi are rumored to work with the Gods directly.
The Lord of Storms - patron of warriors and great changes His spouse the Good Lady - Death, (always referred to deferentially), The Lord Maker, patron of craft and craftsmen, (said to forge every Dokkar soul from Ether) His spouse the Verdant Lady - patroness of natural life, mothers, and farmers. The Lord Huntsman - patron of predators, shadows, the Moon, and Alfar. His spouse The Brilliant Lady - patron of the Sun, the Empire, and justice. The Lord of Chronicles - patron of memory, history, stars, and scholars. His spouse The Blissful Lady - patron of happiness, lovers, and wine. (In many tales, she and the Lord Huntsman are in love, and continually plotting tricks to cover up their escapades)
Persons of note
Prince-Marshal Fyodor III Petrov - Current monarch. Iron-willed, though often catching ill, some say only his fierce glare keeps the Good Lady at bay. He seeks to bring Kurilara back to its days of glory.
Domains
- Narogdov Mountains
-
- Mana Seep
- Caer Narsdae (Air Node)
- Levistone Quarry
- The Gates of Vonril (Keep)
The very air crackles with magic in these mountains, which hold the ancient summit of Caer Narsdae, an Air Node, and numerous temples to the Lord of Storms. His presence is felt strongly here, as the mountains are regularly wracked by massive storms. The main entrance to the Kurilaran Underdark is guarded by the vast fortress built by Prince Vonril the Great.
- The Gatelands
-
- Underdark Lightfield
- Adamantium Mine
- Adamantium Mine
- Ryazadan (Town)
- Vorodera Mountains
-
- Mana Seep
- Gold Mine
- Mana Seep
The quieter siblings of the Narogdov mountains, these mountains are relatively quiet save for a few mining operations and small outposts.
- The Heartlands
-
- Gold Mine
- Adamantium Mine
- Karalgrad (Underhold)
- Miryansk Forests
-
- Wilds
A largely undeveloped and untamed region descending from the mountains, and sacred grounds to the Lord Huntsman
- The Twilight Forests
-
- Underdark Lightfield
- Gold Mine
- Underdark Lightfield
The Forests below mirror the forests above, save that they are more tame and shrouded in the perpetual twilight of the Underdark.
- The Shining Hinterlands
-
- Countryside
Home to most of the surface-dwellers of Kurilara, the pastoral hills and meadows here shine with the spark of life and the reflection of the sun.
Military
All men and all women who shall inherit property are required to serve in the military. The nobility generally act as officers and magi, though a number choose to join military orders dedicated to one of the Eight.
Military Orders
- Order of the Stormlord
- Dark Elf Warlocks
- Alfar Blade / Longsword
- Adamant Weave / Plated Chain
- Charged Adamant Full Shield
- Adamant Order
- Knights
- Adamant Full Plate
- Adamant Sorcerous Arbalest
- Adamant Swords
- Common Magic
- Order of the Edelweiss
- Knights
- Alfar Adamant Longbow
- Adamant Longsword
- Barrier Skirmish Armor
- Knight Magic
- The Shadow of Death
- Men at Arms
- Barrier Skirmish Armor
- Two-Handed Lightswords
- Common Magic
The Infantry
- Royal Guard
- Men at Arms
- Adamant Weave / Plated Chain
- Adamant Halberds
- Common Magic
- Legionnaires
- Men at Arms
- Adamant Weave / Mail
- Adamant Pike
- Sidesword
- Charged Tower Shield
- Fusiliers
- Men at Arms
- Adamant Weave / Mail
- Leadcaster
- Sidesword
- Sword Militia
- Lamellar
- Sidesword
- Charged Full Shield
- Arquebus Militia
- Militia
- Skirmish Armor
- Arquebus / Spear
- Pike Militia
- Militia
- Lamellar
- Pike
- Charged Tower Shield
- Light Artillery
- Light Carriage
- Falconet
- Medium Artillery
- Medium Carriage
- Culverin
- Stormcaller
- Knight Striders
- Concussion Bow
- Adamant Battle Plate
- Giant Adamant Sword
- Awakened Armor
- Golems
- Giant Sword
- Giant Leadcaster
- Battle plate
- Transport
- Air Galley
- Wood Cladding
- Thunderhead-class
- Skyship
- Adamantium Cladding
- Lightning Launcher
- Firebird-class
- Skyship
- Reinforced Wood Cladding
- Hammerer
- TOTAL POINTS
- DOMAINS (305)
- Dark Elves (20)
- MILITARY (75)]